Petunia plant named &#39;DPETCPGEM&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Petunia cultivar named ‘DPETCPGEM’ is disclosed, characterized by a semi-trailing growth habit, and large, violet-blue flowers with white stripes. The plants are medium branched with a medium vigor. The new variety is a Petunia, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Petunia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘DPETCPGEM’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Petunia hybrid cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Petunia varieties with interesting flower color patterns. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during October of 2014.

The seed parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to as Petunia ‘cv. 13-7794’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to as Petunia ‘cv. 14-8257’. The new variety was discovered in June of 2015 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2014 crossing, in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DPETCPGEM’ was first performed by terminal vegetative cuttings during June of 2015, at a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. Subsequent propagation by asexual means has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in more than 25 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DPETCPGEM’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DPETCPGEM’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DPETCPGEM’ as a new and distinct Petunia cultivar:

1. Semi trailing growth habit. 2. Medium branching plant with medium vigor. 3. Flowers color is violet-blue with 5 white stripes and white rim (light intensity and weather conditions can influence the width of the stripes and the rim, creating almost totally blue flowers when temperature and light intensity drop, or wide white stripes and rim when temperature and light intensity are high). 4. Flower size is large. 5. Abundant flowering.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DPETCPGEM’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Petunia ‘cv. 13-7794’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DPETCPGEM’ differ in the following;

1. ‘Cv. 13-7794’ has a trailing growth habit while ‘DPETCPGEM’ has a semi trailing growth habit. 2. ‘Cv. 13-7794’ is a branched plant with low vigor while ‘DPETCPGEM’ is a medium branching plant with medium vigor. 3. ‘Cv. 13-7794’ flower color is light blue with white stripes while ‘DPETCPGEM’ flower color is violet-blue with 5 white stripes and white rim. 4. ‘Cv. 13-7794’ Flower size is medium while ‘DPETCPGEM’ flower size is large. 5. ‘Cv. 13-7794’ has medium quantity of flowering while ‘DPETCPGEM’ has abundant flowering.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DPETCPGEM’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DPETCPGEM’ differ in the following;

1. ‘Cv. 14-8257’ has a mounded growth habit while ‘DPETCPGEM’ has a semi trailing growth habit. 2. ‘Cv. 14-8257’ is a vigorous plant with low branching while ‘DPETCPGEM’ is a medium branching plant with medium vigor. 3. ‘Cv. 14-8257’ flower color is dark blue while ‘DPETCPGEM’ flower color is violet-blue with 5 white stripes and white rim. 4. ‘Cv. 14-8257’ Flower size is medium while ‘DPETCPGEM’ flower size is large. 5. ‘Cv. 14-8257’ has low quantity of flowers while ‘DPETCPGEM’ has abundant flowering.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DPETCPGEM’ can be compared to the commercial variety Petunia ‘DPECLABRAY’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,311. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘DPETCPGEM’ differs in the following:

1. ‘DPECLABRAY’ growth habit is mounded, while ‘DPETCPGEM’ has semi trailing growth habit. 2. ‘DPECLABRAY’ flower color is light blue, while ‘DPETCPGEM’ has violet-blue flowers with white stripes and rim. 3. ‘DPECLABRAY’ is very branched, while ‘DPETCPGEM’ has medium branching.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DPETCPGEM’ can also be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Petunia ‘DANRAY3’. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘DPETCPGEM’ differs in the following:

1. ‘DANRAY3’ growth habit is mounded, while ‘DPETCPGEM’ has semi trailing growth habit. 2. ‘DANRAY3’ flower color of the comparison variety is violet with purple veins, while ‘DPETCPGEM’ has violet-blue flowers with white stripes and rim. 3. ‘DANRAY3’ is taller than ‘DPETCPGEM’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DPETCPGEM’ grown in a greenhouse, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical mature flower of ‘DPETCPGEM’ during Spring. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 60 days from a rooted cutting in a 20 cm pot.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2005 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DPETCPGEM’ plants grown in greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under natural lighting. Measurements were taken during April of 2015. The plants were approximately 60 days from a rooted cutting in a 13 cm pot. The growing temperature ranged from 20° C. to 35° C. during the days, 17° C. to 23° C. during the nights. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Petunia hybrid ‘DPETCPGEM’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: 10 to 14 days at approximately 20° C. -   Root description: Fibrous. Tan and whitish, not accurately measured     with color chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Semi-trailing. -   Pot size of plant described: 13 cm. -   Height: About 15 cm to top of flowering plane. -   Plant spread: About 60 cm. -   Growth rate: Medium. -   Length of primary lateral branches: About 30 cm. -   Quantity of primary lateral branches: 8. -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:     -   -   Form.—Cylindrical.         -   Diameter.—About 0.2 cm.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 144A.         -   Texture.—Pubescent.         -   Strength.—Good. -   Internode length: About 1.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 40 per branch.         -   Average length.—3.5 cm.         -   Average width.—2.0 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Velvety.         -   Pubescence, upper and lower sides.—Pubescent.         -   Aspect.—90 degrees.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Green N 137 B. Young             foliage under side: RHS Yellow-Green 146 B. Mature foliage             upper side: RHS Green N 137 B. Mature foliage under side:             RHS Yellow-Green 146 B.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: RHS             Yellow-Green 146 B. Venation color under side: RHS             Yellow-Green 146 C.         -   Petiole.—Length: About 0.4 cm. Diameter: About 0.2 cm.             Color: RHS Yellow-Green 146 C. Texture: Velvety.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring, Summer, and Autumn in Mishmar     Hashiva, Israel. -   Days to flowering from rooted cutting: About 30 days. -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Axillary, single flower,     salverform shape, erect habit. -   Rate of flower opening: 2 to 3 days from bud to fully opened flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: 3 to 6 days. -   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: About 80. -   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning. -   Flower lobing: Medium. -   Flower veins: Absent. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Tubular.         -   Length.—About 4 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 0.8 cm.         -   Color.—RHS Violet 86 B. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—About 5.5 cm.         -   Length.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—About 0.8 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—About 0.3 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Length from throat.—About 2.2 cm.         -   Width.—About 2.4 cm.         -   Quantity.—5.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Velvety.         -   Apex.—Blunt.         -   Margin.—Entire. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: RHS Violet-Blue N 89 B with 5             Stripes and rim, White NN 155 D. Lower surface: RHS             Violet-Blue N 89 C with 5 Stripes and rim, White NN 155 D.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: RHS Violet-Blue N 89 C with 5             Stripes and rim, White NN 155 D. Lower surface: RHS             Violet-Blue N 89 D with 5 Stripes and rim, White NN 155 D.             Flower throat (inside): RHS Violet-Blue N 92 B. Flower             throat, vein: RHS Violet-Blue N 92 C. Flower tube (outside):             RHS Violet 83 C. Flower tube, vein: RHS Yellow-Green N 144             C.         -   Fading.—Petals fading to: RHS Violet-Blue N 89 C with 5             Stripes and rim, White NN 155 D. -   Calyx/sepals:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.         -   Shape.—Linear.         -   Length.—About 1.5 cm.         -   Width.—About 0.2 cm.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Velvety.         -   Color.—Upper Surface: RHS Green 137 A. Lower Surface: RHS             Yellow-Green 146 B. -   Peduncle: Not present. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—About 3 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 0.1 cm.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 146 B.         -   Orientation.—45 degrees. -   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Filament length.—About 1.6 cm. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—About 2 cm.         -   Shape.—Rounded.         -   Color.—RHS Purple-Violet N 82 D.         -   Pollen.—Color: RHS Violet-Blue 92 B. Quantity: Plenty. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Style.—Length: About 2.1 cm. Color: RHS Yellow-Green 145B.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Rounded. Color: RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Ovary             Color: RHS Yellow-Green 146D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: About 70 dark brown (near RHS Brown 200A), rounded     seeds of about 0.5 mm diameter, per one brown, conical capsule. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     the normal diseases and pests of Petunia have been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates a range between 5° C. to 40° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘DPETCPGEM’ as herein illustrated and described. 